Many phenomena in mathematics and science can be modeled by drawing finite networks whose nodes are connected by edges with specified lengths. After imposing various natural constraints, the set of all such models forms a geometric space, with one point for each possible model. Although some properties of these spaces are easy to verify (such as the fact that they are connected), deeper aspects (such as whether they have “holes” of various dimensions) remain quite mysterious and are the focus of much current mathematical activity.

The course delineates the evolution of the vertebrate nervous systems, with a particular focus on mammals and among them on the human lineage.

The course focuses on the structure and functions of the mammalian visual systems, with a special emphasis on shape processing and object recognition.

This course is an introduction to the brain as a predictive organ. The brain learns about its environment and infers the state of that environment in order to predict it, which will help ensure its own survival.